Hasty Decision

Caesar kissed Yuri back without hesitation. He glanced over at the crowd watching the scene and smirked against Yuri's lips.

He took over, devouring Yuri's mouth as he deepened the kiss.

He slid his free hand beneath Yuri's shirt until he felt Yuri's body go still. Chuckling softly, he nibbled on Yuri's bottom lip, drawing a slight gasp from him.

The sound of camera shutters clicking filled the hall, followed by flashes directed at the two of them.

‘Shit.’

Yuri cursed internally, scolding himself for what he had just done and for involving a complete stranger in his mess.

But why did this stranger kiss so well?

His mind spun wildly. The taste of liquor and Caesar's pheromones flooded his senses, and for a few dangerous seconds, it felt far too good.

Then reality came crashing back.

He pulled away just enough to breathe, though not enough to create any real distance between them.

His heart hammered against his chest, and heat rushed to his cheeks when he looked up into those mesmerizing blue eyes staring back at him with obvious amusement.

He glanced over his shoulder.

Gleb stood frozen a short distance away, pure dread written across his face, while Ethan remained behind him with a carefully blank expression.

Yuri, however, didn't miss the fury burning in his eyes, confirming his suspicions.

Looking toward his parents only made the situation stranger.

His mother had both hands over her mouth, disbelief written all over her face.

His father...

Yuri raised a brow.

His father wore a small, proud smile before casually lifting his glass and taking a sip.

Every guest in the ballroom seemed equally stunned, their phones pointed directly at him.

A wild grin slowly spread across Yuri's face.

He was already considering how to push the chaos even further but Caesar suddenly scooped him off the ground before he could try anything.

A silent gasp escaped Yuri's lips.

He was carried out of the ballroom as though he weighed nothing and taken upstairs.

They reached a private room at the end of the hallway. Caesar kicked the door shut behind them and pressed Yuri against the wall as he adjusted his grip.

Instinctively, Yuri wrapped his legs around Caesar's waist, afraid of falling from such a height.

"W-wait, put..."

The rest of his sentence vanished hen Caesar kissed him again.

Yuri's eyes widened.

The kiss was deeper this time, more demanding than before. His body betrayed him almost immediately, responding to Caesar's touch despite every logical thought screaming at him to stop.

The attention felt warm and comforting.

Dangerously easy to sink into after everything he had endured, when it was supposed to be the opposite.

His fingers curled into Caesar's suit as he returned the kiss with equal intensity.

Caesar nibbled on his bottom lip before finally pulling away.

When Yuri opened his eyes, disappointment flashed openly across his flushed face.

Caesar chuckled, "That's an interesting expression, "His deep voice rumbled through Yuri's chest. He hadn't expected someone he thought was respectful and responsible to be so shameless.

Then he leaned closer again, his gaze fixed on Yuri's face.

As expected, Yuri closed his eyes in anticipation, when nothing happened, he frowned.

"If you do not want to get pounded against this wall by a complete stranger in your fiancé's house, I suggest you tell me to stop and explain exactly what's going on."

Yuri hesitated.

Part of him didn't entirely mind the idea, especially considering how attractive Caesar was, but there were far more important things to deal with right now.

Besides, finding a good distraction later wouldn't be difficult.

What bothered him more was the growing feeling that something about Caesar was wrong.

Not the fact that he had played along, he was actually thankful that he was someone who didn't care about something like that.

The fact that he wasn't supposed to be alive.

Yuri pushed the thought aside for later and let out a breath.

"Fine. Put me down."

Caesar obliged.

The moment Yuri's feet touched the floor, Caesar stepped back and leaned against the table behind him, effectively trapping Yuri between his legs.

Yuri smiled nervously,"So..." He slipped both hands into his pockets, "I knew it would enrage Gleb since you're his lover too."

Caesar froze, then his expression twisted into obvious disgust, "Do you usually assume things without confirmation?"

Yuri frowned, "Then... Ethan?" The possibility of something like that happening was absurd, considering their relationship.

But Yuri couldn't completely dismiss it, since it wasn't impossible.

Caesar shook his head, "No, Gleb has been sleeping with my stepsister. Whatever you think you saw was because of that."

‘So those were actually punches.’

The realization crossed Yuri's mind before the rest of Caesar's words fully registered.

Then he froze, the revelation hit him like a bucket of ice water.

He stared at Caesar.

Caesar stared back.

For the next several minutes, they quietly sorted through everything Gleb had done and everything Yuri had misunderstood. Especially the fact Gleb was more of a manwhore than a cheater or two-timer.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

"Yuri Jang!"

Yuri flinched so hard he nearly fell over.

His mother stormed into the room.

The moment she reached him, she completely ignored Caesar, grabbed Yuri's face with both hands, and began inspecting him from every angle.

Yuri winced slightly as his face was being squeezed and pressed from all corners.

"Are you sick?" she demanded. "Were you drugged? Did someone spike your drink? Do you have a fever? Are you having a mental breakdown? Blink twice if you're having a mental breakdown."

"Mother."

"Why would you do that in front of everyone?!"

"Do you know how many reporters were in that room?"

"Mother."

His mother narrowed her eyes suspiciously before placing a hand against his forehead.

Yuri sighed, "I am not sick, and I am perfectly fine."

"Then explain yourself."

"I don't want to."

Before she could continue, the door opened again and Yuri's father stepped inside.

Unlike his wife, he looked completely relaxed.

In fact, after taking one look at Yuri standing between Caesar's legs while his mother fussed over him, he smiled, "I think what he did was brave." He said earning a glare from his wife.

Yuri buried his face in his hands.

He hadn't expected this reaction from either of them. The marriage contract between their family and Gleb's family was supposed to be the key to their future success.

He had just destroyed it in front of everyone, Yet neither of them seemed particularly bothered, his father who barely showed any reaction, since he easily got bored was happy for once.

Caesar cleared his throat, reminding everyone of his presence.

Yuri's father glanced toward him, his smile fading slightly, "Caesar Vasilev. I had no idea you were interested in my son. Why didn't you mention it the last time we met?"

Yuri's brow shot upward.

Caesar chuckled softly and shrugged, "Believe me, it's a surprise to me too."

Before anyone could continue, Gleb stormed into the room with Ethan shouting his name from behind.

Ignoring Yuri's parents entirely, Gleb crossed the distance between them in a few long strides and he reached for Yuri.

Before he could touch him, Yuri's father grabbed his collar and pulled him backward.

Then he stepped between them.

Caesar quietly rose to his feet and moved in front of Yuri's mother, with Yuri standing beside her and peeking over Caesar's shoulder.

"Mister Jang, please move aside. This is between Yuri and me."

"And what makes you think you have that right?" Yuri's father asked coldly, His red eyes glowed faintly as he stared at Gleb.

Gleb clenched his jaw, the veins in his neck stood out as his fists tightened at his sides. "You saw what your son did, and you can't even scold him?"

Mister Jang tilted his head, "Why should I?"

Gleb opened his mouth, but no words came out, then his gaze shifted to Caesar.

The moment their eyes met, flames seemed to ignite behind Gleb's.

Caesar merely smirked.

"Gleb..." Yuri stepped out from behind Caesar, he walked toward Gleb slowly.

Every movement was tracked by Gleb's eyes until only a few inches separated them.

Yuri's father remained alert, ready to intervene if necessary.

Then Yuri grinned, "You can't always have your way, Gleb. This time, it's my turn to show you how it feels to lose something you thought belonged to you." He patted Gleb's shoulder. "Because I'm done."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, I think he would." Caesar interrupted and stepped forward and stopped beside Yuri.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black ring identical to the one on his own middle finger and slipped it onto Yuri's finger.

"Since everyone is already here," he said, gesturing toward Gleb and Ethan's parents standing silently by the door. "I say we handle this properly."

Yuri stared at the ring.

The silence stretched long enough for everyone to begin doubting whatever Caesar was trying to do.

Finally, Yuri lifted his head.

Everyone was waiting for an answer.

So he stepped closer to Caesar and said the first thing that came to mind.

"We're actually getting married…in two days."